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I found it not painful actually. I had hemorrhoids a couple of months after birth that were much! More painful. 10 minutes after birth I was up and about and I really can't recall it being so painful, just uncomfortable with a capital U.
I started noticing contractions at 10 pm went to the hospital at 3 am only to find out I was 9 cm dilated and almost ready to role. I had to push for over an hour and because he was stuck they took him with a vacuum pump. I also had an epistomy. My body was just calm and my mind was on the baby. I got some oxygen during pushing because I have asthma. I'm a FTM :)

I had my first two babies with an epidural. For various reasons (I'm not going to type them all out unless you're specifically wondering) I decided to have this LO naturally. I switched from an OB to a midwife. She does have patients who use epidurals but I knew she would be more present during the labor and more supportive to my goal. She herself has had both an epidural and a natural birth, so I knew that she understood the experience.

It was amazing. I cannot say enough. If we ever have more kids (not likely), I would do it again. Immediately after I said NEVER AGAIN but by the next day I was already saying that I would do it naturally again.

I was induced but the pain was very manageable. I also read two very good books which prepared me. I would have taken a Bradley class but it didn't work with my schedule. I sought out friends who had done it naturally (on purpose) and got their advice. I used a lot of low tones (kind of like moaning) to deal with the pain and it totally helped. I took a long hot bath with jets. I did get some fentanyl in my IV twice, because transition was so horribly long (like 3 hours). It didn't take away the pain but it took away my anxiety about the pain. My hubby was also on board and supportive, and this was huge. My nurses knew my wishes and that really helped as well. My midwife was there almost the entire time and I swear every time I was going to ask for an epi, she seemed to know beforehand and found a way to distract me or give me relief of some sort.

I almost had #2 naturally (because it was progressing fast and not super painful) but what stopped me was that my doctor, nurses and DH were not on board because I had not really made my intentions clear beforehand. It's so easy to say YES to an epi when everyone is offering it.

I had a doula and my husband supporting me, I laboured at home for most of it, and got to the hospital 8cm dilated, and gave birth three hours later. No tearing, no stitches.

I used meditation, low tone moans, visualization, and french kissed my husband in between every contraction. It was beautiful and quite peaceful, though I'm not going to lie, very very painful during the contractions and pushing.

Immediately after giving birth I felt euphoria that lasted for three days. I felt like a lioness, fierce and strong.

I was on my feet again within 20 minutes of delivery and able to wheel our baby to our ward myself. Those photos are lovely.

It was the worst pain that I have ever felt, but it stopped when the contraction was over. I felt fine afterwards, but I also felt fine afterwards with my epidural baby. I tore both times (more vaginally with epidural baby and rectally with unmedicated baby), so I knew the stitches were there and it would hurt to shift around in bed (especially that hospital bed), but I felt fine.

I've had 4 med-free natural births. It hurt for the first two b/c I was in a stressful environment (hospital with nurses who wouldn't listen to me and made me lay on my back in bed). I had #3 and #4 at home with wonderful people and was very calm and relaxed. Those births didn't hurt at all. I'd dare say they were painless. In fact, w/ #4 I didn't even know I was in labor until I woke up in transition.

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"It's like everyone started speaking in tongues. And I don't speak tongues. :(" -Margo_Channing